SIR Alex Ferguson put aside his battle for the Premiership to open a nursery at a South Cheshire school.

The Manchester United manager was invited by Terra Nova School at Holmes Chapel to officially cut the ribbon on the £300,000 nursery building which counted Brooklyn Beckham among its pupils last year.

In addition to David Beckham sending his son to the school, Terra Nova has several other strong Manchester United connections - striker Olé Gunnar Solskjaer sends his child to the school, as did former United winger Jesper Olsen.

Sir Alex, who still stays in contact with friends he made at the age of four in a nursery at his home town of Govan, Glasgow, said: 'Children learn about control and discipline when they go to school and, most importantly, how to express themselves.

'It's important that they get a good start in life early on with their education in a nursery such as this. I am delighted to be able to be here to officially open it.'

The building has been expanded to offer 32 full-time nursery places and four separate classrooms. Previously the oneroomed nursery offered just 15 places.

Building work was started at the end of last year and, already, 24 places have been taken up. Children aged from two and a half to four can attend the nursery.

Headmaster Nigel Johnson said: 'We are delighted that Sir Alex accepted our invitation to open the new nursery. It's a superb way to launch what we are sure will be a popular and well-used addition to our school.'